How To: Using ILL to Get Materials Not on Campus

February 19, 2014

You’re working on a seminar paper and come across a reference to a book or an article that is on point – but it isn’t at Biddle, on campus, or available as a pdf. Do you give up in defeat and look for a substitute resource available on campus? NO! You have a valuable resource available to you that can solve this problem – the WorldCat database with FirstSearch Interlibrary Loan functions.

WorldCat is a database of titles owned by over 10,000 libraries around the world, with over 1.4 billion items available through interlibrary loan (ILL). What is ILL? ILL is a service offered by Biddle that enables you to get articles and borrow books not available on campus. It’s an easy-to-use online service that lets you request items that are not available on campus because they’re not owned by one of the libraries, the item is checked out, or is missing.

Materials requested through ILL arrive in approximately 7-10 days, but may take longer. Plan your time accordingly. You’ll be notified when books arrive, and articles will be emailed to you in pdf format. Books received through ILL will have a due date on the attached strap. Books can be renewed (if “No Renewals” is not checked on the attached band) - just send the ILL number on the band and the title of the book to mslyhoff@law.upenn.edu